Three new Chinese priests ordained in Nanchang
In Jiangxi, where Matteo Ricci carried out his apostolate, Bishop Li Xuguang presided over the rite in the local cathedral before a large crowd of faithful. These ordinations join the 16 other performed in China since the start of the year, with two more scheduled in Beijing. These signs of hope come amid a drastic drop in vocations in recent years.
Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Three new priests were ordained last Friday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. Fr Paul Liu Enbo, Fr Peter Pan Liang, and Fr Joseph Dong Liangshan took the orders in a ceremony led by Bishop Li Xuguang of Jiangxi.
According to China’s new ecclesiastical geography, the diocese includes the historic archiepiscopal see of Nanchang (where Matteo Ricci carried out his apostolate) as well as the dioceses of Ganzhou, Ji'an, Nancheng, and Yujiang.
More than 60 priests, about 20 nuns, and more than 300 people, including relatives, friends, and other faithful attended the service, which now brings the number of priests in the diocesan clergy to 55.
During the celebration, Fr Pan Liang delivered a thanksgiving speech on behalf of the three newly ordained priests, expressing deep gratitude for God's calling and guidance, for the bishop's welcome and care, for the education received from the diocese over the years, for the encouragement and help of his fellow priests, and for the prayers and constant support of his parents, relatives, and friends.
He also extended heartfelt thanks to the priests, parishioners, and service staff who quietly worked to prepare this ceremony.
Fr Pan Liang and Fr Liu Enbo hail from Shanxi Province, while Fr Dong Lianshan was born in Hebei.
The ceremony in Nanchang is a sign of hope amid a sharp decline in the number of seminarians and priestly ordinations in China in recent years.
According to data gathered by the Chinese website Xinde and reported by Agenzia Fides, 16 priestly ordinations took place from 1 January to 30 June, four new nuns took their first vows while 22 other made their perpetual profession.
The Diocese of Beijing is scheduled to ordain two more priests on 19 September.
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